The Canadian Armed Forces is introducing new technology to enhance search and rescue capabilities.

It’s known as Cellular Airborne Sensors for Search and Rescue, or CASSAR, and is currently being used on select aircraft to improve search capabilities, even when crews are up against less than ideal circumstances.

If someone is missing or in distress, aircraft equipped with the technology can communicate with one’s cellphone, given it has sufficient battery power and is not set to airplane mode.

Crews will be able to trace the location of the device and contact the person by call or text, even if they are in an area with no cell service.

CASSAR has already helped search and rescue crews across Canada, most recently on June 15 when two hunters went missing at sea. Despite the thick fog, it only took crews a few minutes to locate the missing vessel via cellphone.

The technology is only available on select aircraft stationed in British Columbia, Manitoba and Nova Scotia.